In the information technology industry you need to keep up with the latest trends. My in-box is flooded daily with vendors sending invites to webinars and “lunch and learns”. How about a good old fashioned night on the town to mix business with pleasure?
It was my lucky day when I responded to an invitation that made promises of hors’ douvres, cocktails, and a keynote speaker at a popular Manhattan nightspot.
I took the train into the city with high expectations of doing some damage to an open bar, handing out a few business cards, and getting down on some shrimp cocktail. It was a much different scenario upon arrival.
There was a registration table, a long line of old dudes in wrinkle-free khakis, and the classic “Hello: My Name Is” stickers to be filled out. The line was making me anxious, so I popped into the ballroom next door for a quick drink.
I was greeted with a bucket of Coronas while I made my way out onto the empty dance floor. During my stroll I noticed an illuminated whiteboard with the name of a major apparel company, headquartered in New York.
I just walked into a party which I was about to crash. Sweet! How could I pass up an opportunity to crush an open bar, devour buffet food, and listen to a CEO congratulate employees on a “job well-done”? Jackpot.
Somewhere after my 6th Tanqueray / Tonic and the DJ playing Montell Jordan’s – “This Is How We Do It” I was in the zone. I got a few dagger looks from the C-level’s in suits; but I keep it cool with few affirmative head nods and winks back at them.
Asking girls “what department are you in?” was my opener.
“I can make your computer run faster” was the closer. Who cares if I was prying? Single ladies make noise!
In my travels across the dance floor I bumped into a fine looking Jewish girl named Robin. She invited me back to the bar to grab a fresh round. I was straight-up with her about my spying antics and she was mildly turned-on! She was intrigued, impressed, yet equally intoxicated. My type of chicken.
We ended up going out for sushi and she started yapping about all the details of her current job at Jones New York and her experience working for small company that “bedazzles” cell phones.
The impromptu date was now getting lame. I quickly got the check and put the meal on my AMEX card (double points on dining!) before exchanging phone numbers and goodbyes in front of her 2nd avenue apartment building.
Robin never responded after two calls and a text message. More importantly, I still ripped-it at a billion dollar company’s holiday party and pumped a drunken employee for information.
Take Notes: Mixing business with pleasure is best done over open bars, self-serve buffets, and always on the expense of others.
Tags: business, business cards, corona beers, information technology, manhattan, manhattan nightclub, mixed business, mixing, music, my way, networking events, new york, pleasure, pleasures, robin, shrimp cocktail, singles, vocal music
